DAY #93: Luke 4:14-30

Jesus had been on a preaching tour of Galilee, and at last came to Nazareth, his boyhood home. Although Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, his parents had fled to Egypt to protect their son from King Herod (Matthew 2:7-18). After King Herod’s death, Joseph had brought his family back to Israel, to the district of Galilee, to live in a town called Nazareth.

Jesus went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Even though he was the perfect Son of God, Jesus attended services every week. As a visiting rabbi, Jesus was invited to read the Scriptures. The synagogue service usually included recitation of the Shema (Numbers 15:37-41; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21), benedictions, a psalm, a priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-26), prayers, a reading from the Law (the Torah, Genesis through Deuteronomy) and then from the Prophets, and then an interpretation of the reading.

In this passage, we see that Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2. Isaiah’s words pictured the deliverance of Israel from exile in Babylon as a Year of Jubilee, when all debts were to be canceled, all slaves freed, and all property returned to original owners (Leviticus 25). But the release from Babylonian exile had not brought the fulfillment that the people had expected; they were still a conquered and oppressed people. Isaiah was prophesying a future messianic age, a time when one would come in the Spirit of the Lord to do many wonderful things. This passage offered great expectations to an oppressed people. After reading, Jesus said, “This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes!” When Jesus spoke these words, he was proclaiming himself as the One who would bring this Good News to pass.

The listeners in the synagogue that day were impressed by Jesus. They spoke well of him, meaning that at first they were impressed at his manner and his teaching. Their question, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” reveals their amazement that this man who had grown up among them was making such claims. This amazement, however, did not give way to faith.

Jesus understood what the people were thinking, Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown; shouldn’t he most certainly take care of all the needs there—even before he did so in other cities? However, Jesus had not come to Nazareth to put on a show for all his friends and neighbors. In fact, his purpose was quite the opposite, for he understood the truth that no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. This was certainly true of many Old Testament prophets. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Micah, and Amos suffered martyrdom.

Jesus stood in a long line of people sent by God specifically to Gentiles and rejected by their own countrymen. Jesus cited the experience of the prophet Elijah who was sent, not to any of the Israelite widows, but instead to a widow of Zarephath—a foreigner in the land of Sidon (1 Kings 17:8-16).

Elijah’s successor, Elisha, met with similar guidance from God in one particular instance. God sent Elisha to cleanse only one person, Naaman, a Syrian, a hated Gentile (2 Kings 5). Syria was Israel’s neighbor to the north. Syria had oppressed Israel, yet God had done a miracle for a commander in their army. Jesus’ message to the people of Nazareth was shocking. He did his work through lepers, Gentiles, and women just as Elisha did. Elijah and Elisha condemned Israel for their lack of faith; Jesus, too, confronted their unbelieving hearts. Israel often rejected the prophets and they were about to reject Jesus. Here Jesus implied that his work would be done outside his homeland among those who believe.

The people became so angry that they tried to push him over the cliff. But it was not yet Jesus’ time to die, so he simply slipped away through the crowd. There is no record that Jesus ever returned to Nazareth.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

It is a painful thing when people reject you. It is much more painful when they reject the Lord, His offer of salvation and eternal life, forgiveness of sin, His plan and purpose, etc... When you combine those two rejections it can be almost unbearable. Imagine Jesus, back home among family and friends and they have a noticeable edge to them. It's obvious. They are bitter. They are jealous. Maybe even envious. This leads to anger and murderous contempt for Jesus and His message. The capacity for sin and evil that we have is stunning.

What's my take away? 1) Keep preaching. Keep living the life God has for me to live. Keep on keeping on. 2) I am not the first and I won't be the last who faces persecution and rejection for being His messenger. In a strange way, it is comforting to know that so many who have gone before me have undergone attack and harassment and persecution. 3) Protect people, especially our people - the people of COV. Protect them from the attacks from the enemy. Protect them from themselves - their own pride and ego. (EGO = Edging God Out). Protect them from harboring anger or bitterness or resentment or hurt.

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)

Lord, give me a spirit of perseverance. Build endurance into my life. When I am discouraged, encourage me Lord. When I am rejected, remind me to fall into your arms. Give me your strength and power to keep preaching and teaching your truth and message.